Title page for ETD etd-07112009-040537

Cultural perceptions related to the health and body size of Antiguan women

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Human Nutrition and Foods

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name

Title

Prehm, Marilyn S.

Committee Chair

Lambur, Michael T.

Committee Member

Webb, Ryland E.

Committee Member

Keywords

helath perceptions

health barriers

Date of Defense

1995-06-30

Availability

restricted

Abstract

Thirty-two Antiguan women from a women's church group attended
participatory group meetings to describe their priority health definitions, perceived health
barriers, preferred health barrier solutions, and body size preferences and perceptions.
Participants were 21-70 years old, and were divided into three age groups. Although
70% of the sample were either overweight or obese, weight issues received little priority
as a health related factor. Instead, women under 30 defined health more in terms of
personal appearance, and dietary inadequacy from lack of resources, with priority for
mental and social health barriers, while those in their 30's were mainly concerned about
barriers related to their mental and social well-being, and those ~ 40 years gave priority
to dietary inadequacy and inactivity barriers related to chronic and general health
factors. Although self-curing barrier solutions were most preferred~ religious and
medical solutions were perceived as easier to attain. Using silhouettes, women under 30
frequently chose thinner ideals than those over 30, and perceived themselves as heavier
than anthropometric measurements indicated, while those ≥40 years perceived themselves as lighter.